Thursday, August 21, 2008

Signs SignsEverywhere there's signsBlocking up the sceneryBreaking up my mindDo this, don't do thatCan't you read the sign-Tesla

About a month ago I went to a fantastic class on listening for the voice of God. One of the participants asked the teacher what he thought about "signs" from God, to which the teacher responded that he felt signs were the most unreliable way to hear from God. He said he's seen too many people drive themselves half-mad looking for signs, seeing contradictory signs, or waiting on signs to act.

He did qualify that he does believe God speaks in signs, but probably not as often as we would like, expect or think.

When I examine myself and the times I have asked for signs, I have to cringe a little. There have been times when I have been genuinely, absolutely at a loss for what to do and asked God for a sign. There are other times when I have asked for signs when really, my conscience was screaming at me what to do, but I was looking for a way out of whatever I didn't want to do.

But, like with every message from God, the first opportunity for error comes in our interpretation. So often we're quick to identify and interpret "signs" in ways that would benefit us.

I'm not hating on signs. I believe I've received them and been blessed by them. I also just recognize the margin of error due to my bias.

I'm actually more interested in hearing what you all think or have to say on the subject than expounding on it myself. So, let me know what you think.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

We were extraordinarily blessed to have a professional photographer go with us to Honduras. Angela is not only amazingly talented, but was a pure joy and blessing to get to know. Here is a video she made with some of her shots.

It chokes me up every time, and really catches the essence of our experience.

Also, my friend Amy made a book of the photographs she took. It's stunning! Check it out by clicking here.

Monday, August 11, 2008

The Lord spoke in all kinds of ways and means during my week in Honduras, but this was my favorite place.

I would jump out of bed as soon as I woke up and it was light out (usually about 5am), take my iPod, Bible and journal and have some good quiet time in a hammock before the day began. I'm thankful one of my teammates snapped of a picture of me there.

Here are a series of verses the Lord gave me to meditate on throughout the week:

Revelation 22:17:The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.

John 4:10 & 13-14:Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water... Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."

John 7:37-39:"Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

From Misty Edwards, Lovesick:Happy am I to live a hungry lifeAnd blessed am I to thirstMy desire for you is my gift withinAnd I am blessed, I am blessed among men!

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Last week I had the great privilege of serving with the Predisan Mission in Olancho, Honduras. I've been to Honduras once before, but never to this area and not with this organization. For years I've heard about the amazing work Predisan does to serve remote villages with health care, and now I know why everyone who works with this mission is touched by it.

A little background on our trip. I went with a group of 27, mostly from Quail Springs Church. We had a medical brigade of about 8, and the rest of us were work crews. The medical team saw 340 patients in the 4.5 days we were there, and our work teams helped install 12 latrines, paint several buildings, and entertain at local schools in local villages.

There are no words to describe the blessing this trip was. I feel as though God used it to shower me with mercy and joy and rekindle the passion for the world and different cultures that is so deep within me. To see the love and peace of God through the lives, hearts, and kindness of the Hondurans we worked with was incredible.

If you have a heart for medical missions, I encourage you to check into Predisan. They are changing lives for the glory of God.

Now, some pictures. :)

This is what a lot of our work looked like- mixing and hauling cement. We worked alongside the Hondurans whose homes we were working on.

Some of my work team. It was a bonding experience.

Gorgeous, isn't it?

I got really dirty. On this day we were moving cinder blocks.

We spent one day in the schools. The children were precious.

I was taking a picture of a flower when this butterfly landed. God is good. :)

Honduran mountain traffic jam.

These are the children who live in one of the homes we worked on. Too precious.